HH Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum opens Dubai International Jewellery Week

The new format of the show, featuring three distinct events under one roof, Areeq Dubai, Collections Dubai and Jewellery Trade Dubai were officially unveiled. The inauguration was followed by a select group of invitees being treated to a one-of-a-kind preview event in a setting that was every bit as glamorous, regal and stunning as the jewels on display and the guests in attendance.

The chief guest for the evening, HH Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of the Department of Information, declared the Dubai International jewellery Week open. After the inauguration, Sheikh Hasher and his VIP entourage toured the exhibition and got a glimpse of the latest collections unveiled by over 400 of the biggest names in the jewellery industry.

The finale of the tour, took Sheikh Hasher and his entourage to one of Dubai's newest social events - the Private Preview of Areeq Dubai, the ultra-luxurious arm of Dubai International Jewellery Week. A selection of the finest and most exquisite jewellery and timepieces from around the world were on display, giving salubrious guests an exclusive sneak-peek of what will be in store over the coming days.

The latest creations by such luminaries like Adler, Carrera Y Carrera, Chopard, Harry Winston, Mikimoto and Pasquale Bruni to name just a few were on display, and that set the stage for the main even of the evening.

The tour cumulated with the arrival of the much-awaited unveiling of the Gianfranco Ferre masterpiece, $1.3m diamond-studded top. VIPs and jewellery collectors all crowded together to watch as the event unfolded. Emerging upon a chaise lounge held high, a beautifully choreographed event with black, silver and glitter aplenty, wowed the crowed as the masterpiece studded with over 900 stunning Dalumi diamonds mounted in 18K white gold was revealed. The 300 carat top is complemented by black tuxedo pants and a black silk cape, and the guests were offered the opportunity to take part in a silent auction to make this stunning work of art all his own.

A Spokesman of Gianfranco Ferré SpA commented on the Inauguration Event of the Dubai International Jewellery Week by saying, "The great success of the inauguration event and especially, the private preview of the diamond top auction confirms our views that this was the finest and most appropriate context to present our unique creation in the Middle East. It was a magical, glamorous and elegant evening. The atmosphere could be described as "One thousand and One Nights". It was exactly what we expected. Off-course it was also a wonderful occasion to re-confirm and strengthen our position and visibility in Dubai, an area which has played an extremely important role in our global business strategies and that is quickly becoming more and more important, especially with the opening of our local branch here. We would like to express our full appreciation for the excellent standard and for the appeal the Areeq event has generated."

Mr. Yuval Kemp, Director Marketing and Business Development for Dalumi Group commented, "We were very happy with the Gianfranco Ferre Event yesterday evening. We feel that Areeq Dubai was the perfect venue to reveal this very special top in the Middle East. We received great interest from the visitors at the event with regards to the top and its auction. We strongly believe that Dubai is the most suitable city to appreciate the Gianfranco Ferre Masterpiece which is studded with 900 Dalumi diamonds. Our representatives are constantly at Areeq Dubai to answer any questions potential buyers may have about the job and the auction."

The bidding process was outlined to the elite guests present, with bidding beginning from $ 650,000 and continuing until the 15 December. Representatives of Gianfranco Ferre and Dalumi, the two parties responsible for this stunning fusion of fashion and jewellery, spoke to the gathering about the intricacies of the creation, although taking one's attention away from the top was not easy.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre, the show's organiser, was delighted with the response to the Private Preview and the auction. "It's hard to put a price on something so exclusive, but the people of the region know good jewellery when they see it, and we are sure that everyone here and thousands of others will get a lot more than they expected at the show" he said. All in all, it was the perfect prelude to a show that promises to give the jewellery shopper a choice like no other over the next two days," he concluded.

Dubai International Jewellery Week, looks forward to welcoming guests and visitors over the next three days from the 11-15 December at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The exhibition opens from 4pm and 10pm, A minimum age restriction of 16 years applies for entry into the show.